Choosing a new vehicle is an important decision as it can make or break your ownership experience during the next few years. Sometimes, the change in vehicle is prompted, not by the need for a new vehicle but rather dissatisfaction with the current one. One, now former, Tesla owner made what some consider to be an interesting switch in vehicle, and he is not the only one who had made this choice, Here’s what he says:
“Sold my 2020 Tesla Model S LRP AWD. Bought a 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited.
Paid $45,000 for the Tesla in 2024, sold it for $24,500. Yeah, $20,000 gone in depreciation - stings a little. But honestly? No regrets. It was an incredible machine. But gave lots of issues in two years.
Sometimes you just have to make the practical call and move on. The Sonata Hybrid feels like a fresh start, and my wallet already feels lighter in a good way.
Has anyone else made a car switch to the Sonata recently? How's it going?”
The post comes from the Facebook group Hyundai Sonata Owners, where owners frequently share their trepidations or ask questions about their vehicle of choice. The switch from a Tesla Model S to a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has some of the owners puzzled, but other group members share a similar story.
What seems like a downgrade to some is a practical choice for others.
This isn’t the first time we have seen an owner switching from a faster car to a more reliable one. Not long ago, a Kia Stinger owner decided he had had enough of repair bills and switched to a Toyota Corolla. It is a similar situation here.
While no specifics were given, the former Tesla owner was dissatisfied with the EV’s reliability. Everything else about the Model S Long Range Plus was great. These come with 670 horsepower from a twin-motor setup and an electric range of up to 410 miles. The 0 to 60 mph sprint happens in 3.1 seconds.
The Sonata Hybrid is a lot more modest in terms of specs, but there is more to it.
Regardless of which trim you go for, a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid comes with a 2.0-liter, normally-aspirated, GDI, inline-four engine and a single electric motor. Combined system output is 192 horsepower. This is even though some trims come with a 39-kW e-motor while others can be equipped with a 52-kW one. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.3 seconds, the Korean hybrid sedan is much less athletic than the Tesla.
The Sonata Hybrid gets up to 56 MPG on the highway and around 47 MPG around town. One of the more impressive figures is the total range of up to 700 miles, which is substantially more than the Model S Long Range Plus.
The elephant in the room
Hyundai’s reputation for reliability hasn’t been the greatest over the past years. This is mostly due to the Theta engines, which frequently suffer from rod-bearing failure and significant oil consumption. There have been many recalls. In fact, Hyundai is in the top 10 carmakers with the most recalls for 2025, although it is worth noting that the Korean carmaker is not near the top.
That said, most consumer reviews praise the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for being polished, frugal, and good value for money. People are even willing to forgive the lack of an all-wheel-drive option. The best part is, no more Theta engines here. The new Atkinson-cycle inline-four is much more refined and so far, is proving to be a reliable unit. Another great thing about the Korean sedan is that it has a proper six-speed automatic, not a CVT like many other hybrids.
Another forum member shares his own experience ,switching to a Sonata Hybrid: “That’s my deal too. My car before the Sonata Hybrid was a 2020 Model S LR+.
S was more comfortable, incredibly fast, but it didn’t feel as polished as the sonata does. I’m happy with the Sonata. I miss FSD, though and the hatchback trunk was nice.”
For a long time, Tesla’s EVs have been offering great value for money. The practicality and performance-per-dollar ratio were unbeaten, but questionable reliability has caused many owners to switch to other models. While the owner hasn’t specified what his issues with the 2024 Tesla Model S were, many owners criticize the overall fit and finish, excessive road noise, clunky suspension, electric issues, and more.
Moreover, these owners often switch to vehicles that aren’t fully electric, confirming the diminishing sales of EVs, with the existence of capable hybrid powertrains. Would you have done a similar switch? Let me know in the comments below.
About the author
Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.
Other relevant experiences in the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Tesla Model S, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Set Torque News as Preferred Source on Google
Follow us today...
